CVE-2019-2963 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.17 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2963 affects the InnoDB storage engine component within Oracle MySQL Server versions 8.0.17 and earlier. This represents a significant availability risk that specifically targets the database server's stability and operational continuity. The flaw resides within the InnoDB transaction processing mechanisms and demonstrates how critical database infrastructure can be compromised through carefully crafted network-based attacks. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal technical expertise can leverage this weakness to disrupt database services. The attack vector requires only network access via multiple protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database servers are exposed to external networks or where internal network segmentation is inadequate. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 4.9, reflecting the moderate severity of the availability impact while acknowledging the high privilege requirements for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain transaction operations within the InnoDB storage engine that can lead to resource exhaustion or internal state corruption. When exploited, the vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with high privileges to manipulate database transaction processing in a manner that causes the MySQL Server to enter a state of permanent unresponsiveness or frequent crashes. This behavior constitutes a complete denial of service condition that can severely impact business operations and data availability. The specific mechanisms through which this occurs involve manipulation of transaction commit and rollback operations that trigger internal data structures to become corrupted or enter deadlock conditions. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects the core database functionality, making it difficult for legitimate users to access or modify data during the attack period. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-400 which addresses improper resource management and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2963 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential data integrity concerns and business continuity risks. Organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical database operations face significant operational challenges when this vulnerability is exploited, as database downtime can cascade into broader system failures. The requirement for high privilege access means that this vulnerability is typically exploited by insiders or attackers who have already gained administrative access to the database environment. However, the ease of exploitation and the complete denial of service impact make this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is paramount. The vulnerability's presence in MySQL 8.0.17 and earlier versions indicates that organizations running these older versions face the greatest risk, as patching and upgrading processes may not have been completed in all environments. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability when assessing their overall database security posture and incident response capabilities. The availability impact rating of high (A:H) in the CVSS vector reflects the severe consequences that successful exploitation can have on database operations and enterprise data services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2963 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MySQL Server versions 8.0.18 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through code modifications and improved transaction handling mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict network access controls to limit exposure of MySQL servers to untrusted networks and ensure that only authorized users have high privilege access to database systems. The implementation of network segmentation and firewall rules can help reduce the attack surface by limiting which systems can communicate with database servers. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual transaction patterns or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Database administrators should also implement regular backup procedures and disaster recovery plans to minimize the impact of potential service disruptions. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue means that organizations should review their access control policies and implement principle of least privilege practices. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other database components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns and provide alerts when potential exploitation attempts are detected.